Ken Johnson‘s innovation in the gaming industry has led to long career
For the last 38 years, Ken Johnson has been one of the few African-American’s in the gaming industry. He created his first game Dice-Baseball at 19, and his second game Phase 10 at the age of 21; which has sold over 30 million copies. Now, the 58-year-old is about to launch his third game, a trivia game called Stake Your Stash.
Johnson has a passion for innovation and sharing his knowledge with other entrepreneurs and inventors. He was nominated for a TAGIE Award (Toy & Game Innovation Award), which is the Oscars of the toy and gaming industry, for his Phase 10 game. The journey of success has been an unexpected but welcomed encounter for the Detroit born inventor.
Read more about Ken Johnson in Episode 9 of People You Should Know.
1. What sparked your idea to create Phase 10 in 1982?
After playing Uno for the first time, I thought then to try to create a card game that could be an alternative to the very successful Uno card game.
2. You created a game before Phase 10 that K-Mart agreed to sell then canceled after not selling any. How important is it to keep pushing after rejection?
The only way to succeed is to learn from you failures and continue to aim for success. Mistakes are inevitable. However, setbacks become permanent failure when you stop trying.
3. Phase 10 is the second bestselling game sold in the world. Did you ever think it would be this successful?
I don’t really remember having any level of success in mind. I just hoped it would be successful and provide a living for me.
4. How important is a patent when it comes to being an inventor? Even if it’s just something you make in your basement.
While patents have their place, I don’t think they are a necessary component of success. Most items sold in stores are not patented.
5. Are there many blacks in the gaming industry?
I don’t know of any African-Americans on the game side of the toy business. However, on the toy side, Lonnie Johnson, the inventor of the Super Soaker and Nerf gun, is the only other African American inventor I know of. I’ve been in the business for over 30 years and can only say, as far as I know, Lonnie and I are the only African-Americans that have experienced long-term success from our toy/game inventions. I would love to see more African-Americans in the industry.
6. What should a person do if they want to be an inventor but don’t know what to create?
The best inventions are created as a solution to a problem or to fill a need in the marketplace. Seek out a problem people face and then crate a solution that is both effective and efficient in resolving it.
7. You’ve started other businesses since creating Phase 10. What are they?
I started 3 telecom companies over 15 years, and I sold two of them. In 2004, I started a 3rd Party Logistics (3PL) company. I closed the business in 2007 when I decided to move back to Michigan, I was living in Indiana at the time. Currently, I own 3 businesses: my game company (Phase 10, and etc.), and two app and tech firms.
8. You offer your public speaking services to teach “Successful Inventing from A to Z”. What does it entail?
For inventors, I speak about everything an inventor needs to know in order to bring their ideas from concept to market. I also speak about entrepreneurship and general motivation.
9. You are a God-fearing man. How has trusting the Lord to lead your path in life helped you progress thus far?
Yes, I believe I have been blessed by God in all my achievements. Further, I think that doing right by others comes back to you in many ways. I could go on and on about my beliefs here, but I don’t know if this is the right forum.
10. What’s the best piece of advice that you’ve ever received and live by?
It is hard to pick one. However, some of the best or top words of wisdom I’ve received:
– Treat others the way you want to be treated.
– Avoid fights of any kind with people who have nothing to lose when you have a lot to lose.
– Make your friends before you need them.
– The 4 Agreements: Avoid Complaining and making Assumptions. Always Do Your Best and Keep Your Word.
